Leadership Is Political

Abstract

Just as senior administrative roles in higher education are political, the role of a college student government holds similar responsibility as a function of an institution. The intersections of college student government and social justice are necessary to explore in order for senior administrators to share responsibility with and for students. Issues of social justice are being taken up on college campuses across the United States. It is common for student governments to legislate and engage with local, state, and even inter/national issues. The political nature of higher education has enabled and almost forced student governments to take up a wide array of concerns, leaving campus administrators—and students—to look for cues as to where to spend (limited) time, energy, and resources. This chapter illuminates a range of politics and current events, factors associated with institutional and individual influence(s), and final recommendations for higher education practice.